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Police seek phony TV talent scout in sexual assault cases

September 19, 2012 | 11:18
am

Bakersfield police are searching for a man who they say posed as a talent scout and lured woman into a hotel where he sexually assaulted them.

Anthony Jefferson, 45, used an elaborate Internet rouse to coax women into believing he worked for major television networks, police said. He allegedly would use the identities of real employees and post acting jobs for upcoming shows being filmed in Bakersfield.

When the women answered the ads, Jefferson asked to meet them at local hotel rooms for interviews and audition. He allegedly would persuade them to perform various sex acts under the guise that it was part of the movie role.

He would also ask the women to pay for the cost of hotel and other incidental costs, police said.

The Bakersfield Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for Jefferson on suspicion of sexual battery by false pretense, indecent exposure, false impersonation and theft.

A $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Jefferson's arrest.

Anyone with
information is asked to call the Bakersfield
Police Department at (661) 327-7111; Det. Rodrigues at (661) 326-3870; or the Secret Witness line at (661) 322-4040.